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"It is a reflection of the support of the wider Fianna Fail membership throughout the country. I am grateful for that overwhelming endorsement of my candidacy for the leadership of the party at this time."

The 48-year-old is the seventh leader of the party, which was founded in 1926.

He was proposed for the leadership by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan, the UK Press Association reported.

"This is Brian Cowen's day. It's also a fantastic occasion for the party and the country," Lenihan said.

"There is a sense of celebration and great satisfaction that the party has been left in such good shape by Bertie Ahern. It is a united party with great cohesion." Watch Ahern announce his resignation »

Ahern announced his resignation last week after coming under pressure from a tribunal looking into his finances and possible illegal payments. Ahern emphasized then that he had done no wrong.

"I want everyone to understand one truth above all else," Ahern said. "Never in all the time I served in public life have I ever put my interests ahead of the public good." Watch an explanation of why Ahern quit. »